Indogulf Cropscience Limited " Growing from Strength to Strength"

−− An interview with Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal,Managing Director of ICL

Q: As we know, Indogulf is celebrating its 25th year in the Crop Protection Industry. Could you briefly introduce its development history?What do you want people to know about Indogulf CropSciences Ltd. (ICL)?

We were incorporated as Jaishree Rasayan Udyog Ltd and started in 1993 with Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate fertilizers. We started the agrochemicals business in 1996. Since then, the company has grown from strength to strength, establishing one technical synthesis plant with a multiproduct production capacity, three formulation plants, and a blow moulding factory. We have, over the years, obtained an impressive lineup of registrations and brands. One of the major developments has been expanding across the globe.

Our company has won many awards; most prominent amongst them have been the “National Award for Best Quality” from the Ministry of MSME, and the recent CAC Award for “Global Business Expansion”.

We have developed a strong R&D base and our labs are accredited with NABL & ISO 9001:2008, ISO 17025:2005 & OHSAS 18001.

Q: Could you tell us about your company’s product line of active ingredients & special strengths? Does the company have plans to launch new products?

We have an impressive lineup of active ingredients. We are the technical manufacturer of over 25 products, especially Thiamethoxam, Lambda Cyhalothrin, Bifenthrin, Pretilachlor, Clodinafop Propargyl & Sulfosulfuron, and so on. We are the second manufacturer of Pyrazosulfuron Technical in India.

We are very strong in the plant supplements business and our R&D team regularly comes up with new products in this segment.

We have lined up new products in crop protection as well, and our endeavor is to provide farmers with new and safe technologies to combat challenges in agriculture.

Q: Could you share with us the future development plans of your company in the field of the export market of your interest and expansion into existing markets?

We are growing very strongly in the Middle East and Africa, while also developing stronger businesses in our own subcontinent.

We are present Pan India and are constantly developing branches and warehousing strengths in newer locations in order to expand.

Q: Tell me something about your recent visit to TOGO

We interacted with the top government officials of TOGO and our delegation was given a very hearty welcome. We have forged joint ventures with the Togolese government to help them with agricultural upliftment. You will hear more about these projects in the future.

Q: How has India’s domestic crop protection market changed in recent years with the impact of Make in India?

The domestic crop protection market has evolved in recent times, with higher emphasis on safer products both by the industry and increased activism by the government. At the same time, the challenges are huge; with climate change, the pest attack patterns have changed drastically and we have epidemics with increasing frequency. This is very bad news, since the agrochemicals industry has sometimes failed to control the menace with existing technologies. The problem is compounded by fake products containing a plethora of unscientific combinations and tank mixes of unthinkable proportions. All this calls for an integrated approach to deal with pest control, as well as the continuous upgradation of all stakeholders.

Indian companies such as ICL are the perfect example of the success of Make in India, much before the term was coined. Because of us, Indian farmers can get the latest technologies within their budgets, and our endeavor has been to speed up this process manifold.

Q: Great, some specific plans for your endeavor?

We are coming up with a new mega project near the National Capital for multispecialty technical and formulation manufacturing. We are also developing our laboratory for GLP-level accreditation.

Q: What is your vision for the growth of the Indogulf over the next three fiscal years?

Manufacturing: Developing the most modern technologies to cater to national and international demands and to manufacture all technicals in India. To be the preferred manufacturer for the B2B and B2C. Pan India Business: To have a strong presence in all the markets we are present in and be among the top three companies in the states in which we operate. Global Business: Expand fur ther in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Open overseas companies for manufacturing in order to cut down the lead time for our key new markets. Global tie-ups: To develop tie-ups with leading companies in the world in order to bring the best technologies into the country.